Federal funding supports specialized dairy exports

by SUSAN MANN

The Canadian Livestock Genetics Association is using the $1.165 million in federal government funding it received for after sales service to foreign customers and other projects to boost dairy genetic exports.

“Whether our members are selling semen, embryos or live animals, they want to make sure that genetic product performs to its genetic potential wherever its going,” says Rick McRonald, association executive director, noting they help clients with nutrition, breeding, genetics, feed, cow comfort or milking techniques.

Parliamentary secretary Pierre Lemieux made the funding announcement Thursday on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz at the Dairy Farmers of Canada annual policy conference in Ottawa. He also announced more than $130,000 will go to Dairy Farmers to help develop niche markets for high value cheese.

McRonald says the government funding helps the association do market development and market access development. The association sends representatives to other counties and “we bring people into Canada to show them what we have to offer.”

McRonald notes industry has to provide matching funding for the program. The industry spends more than $10 million a year in market development in one way or another.

The money for the dairy industry is part of an $88 million agri-marketing program under Growing Forward, which helps the agricultural industry implement long-term international strategies designed to increase market opportunities, including international market development, industry-to-industry trade advocacy, consumer awareness and branding. BF